Department of Health and Social Care

Respiratory Diseases: Intensive Care

Baroness Wolf of Dulwich: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Markham on 16 October (HL10485), over what period they plan to maintain the strategic reserve of intensive care unit equipment originally established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and whether, in considering the future of that strategic reserve, their planning scenarios include (1) a respiratory pandemic that creates greater demand for critical care than the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) a respiratory pandemic that affects a different demographic, specifically one that disproportionately affects children and babies.

Lord Markham: The COVID Strategic Intensive Care Unit Reserve will hold equipment on hand for emergency use in the National Health Service until March 2024. The Government continues to prepare for a range of pandemic and emerging infectious disease scenarios, in line with our revised assessment of the pandemic risk. This includes preparing for all five routes of disease transmission.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Fishing Catches

Lord Randall of Uxbridge: To ask His Majesty's Government, in agreeing sustainable fishing catch limits for 2024–26 with the EU, what consideration they have given to advice provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, and whether these limits will or will not exceed this advice.

Lord Benyon: As an independent coastal State, the UK sets total allowable catches (TACs) through negotiations with other coastal States led by the best scientific advice, including advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) on maximum sustainable yield (MSY). For the majority of stocks TACs will be set for 2024, with a small number agreed biennially through to 2025.Per our obligations under the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement, we seek to achieve, or contribute to the achievement of the fisheries objectives. In particular, we strive to deliver environmental sustainability, including increasing the total number of stocks fished at MSY, as well as economic benefits. In early 2024, following the conclusion of the annual fisheries negotiations, the Government will publish an independent assessment of the number of TACs set consistent with ICES advice for 2024.

Food: Waste

Baroness Hayman of Ullock: To ask His Majesty's Government why their response to the 2022 consultation on improved food waste reporting by large food businesses in England has been withdrawn, and when they expect to publish a new response.

Lord Benyon: We intend to gather further evidence and re-consider all the options using the latest available data in order to retake the decision in the next four to six months.

Drinking Water: Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances

Baroness Hayman of Ullock: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the Drinking Water Inspectorate found that more than 11,000 sampleshad tested positive for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in 2022.

Lord Benyon: Although detected in a tiny number of raw water samples, there is no evidence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations above the 0.1 µg/l guideline value in drinking water supplies. The Government is aware of the 3.8% of water samples that tested positive for PFAS in 2022. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has assessed these results and provided further direction to companies to develop appropriate and focused strategies to protect drinking water supplies going forward. Work is continuing across Government, which the DWI is involved in, to help us assess levels of PFAS occurring in the environment, their sources and potential risks to safeguard current high drinking water quality and ensure our regulations remain fit for purpose.

UK Internal Trade: Labelling

Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government how much funding has been allocated for (1) 2023–24, and (2) 2024–25, to the scheme providing funding to businessesfor"Not for EU" product labelling.

Lord Benyon: To support traders in making the labelling changes for the Windsor Framework we are providing £50m of funding for the 2023-24 financial year. As this funding is to support businesses in making the transition to the new labelling requirements no further funding will be offered in 2024-25.

Fisheries: Sustainable Development

Lord Randall of Uxbridge: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to publish a timebound strategy to meet their legal obligation to aim that fishing occurs at sustainable levels.

Lord Benyon: As an independent coastal state, the UK now sets catch limits through negotiations with other coastal states, led by the best available science. In line with the sustainability objective in the Fisheries Act 2020, our aim is to achieve environmentally sustainable outcomes as well as socio-economic benefits. The UK Joint Fisheries Statement, published last November, lists 43 Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) to be developed across the UK and sets out a timetable for their publication. The FMPs will set out policies to maintain or increase stocks to sustainable levels (or contribute to doing so). Our FMPs will contain short-, medium- and long-term time bound actions to be delivered over the lifetime of the plan. The actions are to support the sustainable management of fish stocks – they are based on the best available evidence and input from the fishing sector. We plan to publish the first FMPs by the end of this year.

UK Internal Trade: Labelling

Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government whether funding provided to businesses for "Not for EU" product labels will be ongoing mainstreamed funding or a one-off fund.

Lord Benyon: The funding for traders is being offered to support the transition to the new labelling requirements. As the “Not for EU” labelling requirements will be a standard part of doing business in the UK after this transition there is no intention to offer ongoing funding.

Plants: Northern Ireland

Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government whether the plant health labelling scheme for Northern Ireland confers upon businesses all the rights available under the UK Plant Passport scheme.

Lord Benyon: The Northern Ireland plant health label (NIPHL) scheme operates in a similar way to the existing UK plant passport regime for goods moved across other parts of the UK and is integrated with the UK scheme. ​​A NIPHL can be attached to goods prior to their movement to Northern Ireland by an authorised GB seller - in the same way as the current UK plant passport regime. This arrangement reduces the burden on businesses, who will be authorised to issue and/or attach the NIPHL in a similar manner as is required under the current UK plant passport.

Plants: Northern Ireland

Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the EU to enable consumers in Northern Ireland to receive plants and seeds directly from businesses in Great Britain.

Lord Benyon: Under the Windsor Framework professional operators, including growers and garden centres, can move plants (including trees) and seeds between Great Britain and Northern Ireland via the new Northern Ireland plant health label scheme. Consumers wishing to source plants and seeds direct from GB growers will be able to do so through a registered operator in Northern Ireland. We maintain a close working relationship with the horticultural industry to ensure that consumers can access plants and trees from a wide variety of sources. We continue to have regular conversations with the EU on a wide range of issues related to the application of the Windsor Framework and its impacts on consumers in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

National Landscapes: Public Bodies

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask His Majesty's Government which body designatesareas with Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty status.

Lord Benyon: Natural England is responsible for the designation of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

National Landscapes: Surrey

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask His Majesty's Government why the Surrey Hills has lost its Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status.

Lord Benyon: Natural England, the responsible body for designating Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England, confirms that the Surrey Hills remain an AONB. There are no plans for it to be de-designated and, in fact, Natural England are currently considering potential extensions to the Surrey Hills AONB boundary. As part of a national rebranding of AONBs to ‘National Landscapes’, the Surrey Hills AONB is now referred to as the Surrey Hills National Landscape but, legally, it remains an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Treasury

Central Bank Digital Currencies: Bank of England

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks and benefits of introducing the digital pound, including on financial stability.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: HM Treasury and the Bank of England will conduct a full examination of the costs and benefits of introducing a digital pound, including an assessment of any potential financial stability impacts. This assessment will be made before any decision is taken.

Rents: Inflation

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address challenges that may arise from the new methodology for assessing rental prices in inflation data.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The independent Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for measuring rents and inflation. The government takes note of ONS’s plans to improve the measurement of rental prices.

Department for Transport

Motorcycles: Death

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made ofthe causes of motorcyclist fatalities.

Lord Davies of Gower: DfT reported road casualty statistics reports numbers of personal injury road traffic collisions in Great Britain that were reported to the police using the STATS19 reporting system.STATS19 does not record the causes of collisions. However, attending police officers can record up to six factors that they believe contributed to collisions as part of the STATS19 dataset. Officers do not need to carry out a full investigation of the collision before allocating factors, usually using professional judgement about what they can see at the scene.The statistics for the top five contributory factors assigned to road collisions involving motorcyclist fatalities is set out in the table below. Table: Top 5 contributory factors attributed in reported road collision involving motorcyclist fatalities in Great Britain, 2022Contributory factor reported in collision2022 motorcyclist fatalitiesDriver/Rider failed to look properly93Driver/Rider careless, reckless or in a hurry80Exceeding speed limit78Loss of control76Driver/Rider failed to judge other person`s path or speed69 The safety of vulnerable road users is a priority for the Government. For road users who choose to travel by motorcycle, the Department remains committed to ensuring that they are equipped with the specialist skills necessary to stay safe on the road. In 2019, we published the Road Safety Statement, which includes a range of specific actions and research initiatives for motorcycles, designed to understand the risks and increase protection and improve training, education and safety advice.

Motorcycles: Protective Clothing

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made ofthe prevalence of motorcyclists failing to wear helmets, and its impact on motorcyclist fatalities.

Lord Davies of Gower: The Department for Transport does not hold this data.

High Speed 2 Line

The Earl of Shrewsbury: To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the cost of the cancellation of the Northern Phase of HS2, as announced by the Prime Minister on 4 October.

Lord Davies of Gower: The Department is working with HS2 Ltd and its supply chain to assess the implications of the cancellation of HS2 beyond Birmingham. Rail, roads and buses will benefit from £36 billion in transport improvements from re-directed HS2 costs to build the daily connections that people depend on.

High Speed 2 Line: Compulsory Purchase

The Earl of Shrewsbury: To ask His Majesty's Government whether properties acquired as part of the cancelled Northern Phase of HS2 will be offered back to their original owners at the cost of acquisition, or placed for sale on the open market; and in the case of the former, whether the costs of such transactions for both parties will be borne by the HS2 budget.

Lord Davies of Gower: We are currently developing the programme for selling land and property acquired for the HS2 project that is no longer needed and will set out more details in due course. We will take time to develop this programme carefully to ensure that it delivers value for money to the taxpayer and does not disrupt local property markets. Under what is known as Crichel Down rules, land and property which was acquired through compulsory purchase, or the threat of compulsion, and which is no longer required and not materially changed, should in certain circumstances be offered back first to its former owner at its current market value before being offered on the open market. Any future purchaser will be responsible for their own costs.

High Speed 2 Line: Construction

The Earl of Shrewsbury: To ask His Majesty's Government, following the cancellation of the Northern Phase of HS2, whether any damage caused to the countryside and environment by the workings of contractors will be remedied at the expense of the HS2 budget.

Lord Davies of Gower: As part of ensuring an orderly and respectful close-down of the northern phase of HS2, HS2 Ltd will be reviewing those works that have already taken place and considering the best course of action to take on a case-by-case basis. This may mean restoring some sites to their former condition; it may also mean leaving some early environmental enhancement works in place. No sites will be left incomplete, and all close-down activities will be funded from the HS2 budget.

Transport: Young People

Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government what research they have commissionedinto the economic impact of transport poverty for young people aged 16 to 24.

Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps theyare taking to ensure that transport policy meets the needs of young people aged 16 to 24.

Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government whatsteps they are taking to increase transport choices to further and higher education for young people aged 16 to 24.

Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce transport barriers to work and apprenticeships to help young people aged 16 to 24.

Lord Davies of Gower: The Government is taking action to ensure young people can access work, education and apprenticeship opportunities, regardless of where they live. We have consistently invested in public transport to help make services more frequent, more reliable, cheaper and easier to use. In 2019 we introduced the 16-17 Saver Railcard, extending the 50 per cent discount available to children for rail travel to their entire period of compulsory education and training. For students aged 18 and above, the 16-25 Railcard offers a third off most rail travel. In October, we announced that the £2 cap on single bus fares in England outside London would be extended until the end of 2024. Through the Plan for Drivers, we have also announced measures to help tackle the cost of driving. We are committed to meeting the obligations of the Public Sector Equality Duty, including giving due consideration to the needs of different age cohorts.

Railways: Strikes

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking tomitigate the economic impact that rail worker strikes will have on affected businesses and individuals.

Lord Davies of Gower: The Government recognises the significant impact that rail industrial action has on businesses and individuals. That is why the Transport Secretary and Rail Minister have facilitated discussions between industry and trade unions to help resolve current disputes. We are pleased that RMT, TSSA and Unite have now ended disputes with the train operators, with further discussions to follow on important workforce reforms. ASLEF are now the only union left in dispute. We have urged ASLEF to put the current offer on the table, facilitated by Ministers, to their members but they still refuse to do so. The Department for Transport also works with its contracted train operators to ensure that disruption from strikes is minimised as much as possible.

Railways: Greater Manchester and Liverpool

Lord Storey: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to improve railway connectivity between Liverpool and Manchester.

Lord Davies of Gower: Network North confirmed the Government’s commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail and to improving connectivity between Liverpool and Manchester. Funding has been made available to allow the Liverpool to Manchester section of Northern Powerhouse Rail to be delivered as previously set out in the Integrated Rail Plan. Government committed to working with local leaders and that engagement with local leaders is underway.

North Wales Coast Line: Electrification

Lord Wigley: To ask His Majesty's Government what is the anticipated timetable for the electrification of the mainline railway connection between Crewe and Holyhead.

Lord Davies of Gower: We are working closely with the rail industry to develop and deliver on the Government priorities outlined in the Prime Minister’s Network North announcement, which includes an unprecedented £1 billion investment to fund the electrification of the North Wales Main Line, bringing parts of North Wales within an hour of Manchester. We are in the early stages of planning the next steps for this scheme and will share further information when that work is complete. Our investment is intended to enable the operation of electric trains over the full North Wales Coast line between Holyhead and Crewe.

High Speed 2 Line: Old Oak Common Station

Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Davies of Gower of 22 November (HL338), what assessment they have made of expected journey times between Old Oak Common and Bond Street via (1) the planned HS2 station at Euston and the Northern Line, and (2) the Elizabeth Line broken down into (a) in-vehicle time, (b) wait time, and (c) walking time.

Lord Davies of Gower: The breakdown of expected journey times between Old Oak Common and Bond Street via (1) the planned HS2 station at Euston and the Northern Line, and (2) the Elizabeth Line is shown in the table below. All times are shown in minutes.Destination: Bond StreetIn vehicle timeWalk timeWait timeTotalVia HS2 to Euston/Northern Line6.616.71.324.6Via Old Oak Common/Elizabeth Line9.813.81.224.8

Railways: Manchester Airport

Lord Scriven: To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect a direct train service between Sheffield and Manchester Airport to be reinstated.

Lord Davies of Gower: I recognise the aspiration of the people of Sheffield to have a direct service with Manchester Airport. The Manchester Task Force — a cross-industry body including Network Rail, Transport for Greater Manchester, Transport for the North and train operators - is continuing its work to address the capacity constraints through Manchester with a view to enabling improved connectivity to the airport for rail passengers and businesses from Sheffield and other towns and cities across the North.

Logistics: Employment

Viscount Waverley: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Vere of Norbiton on 20 September (HL10119), whether they have made an assessment of the effectiveness ofthe Generation Logistics campaign; and whether they will make an assessment of the merits of further funding forGeneration Logistics, beyond the £300,000 secured for 2024.

Lord Davies of Gower: Assessments of Generation Logistics have been completed by both the Department for Transport and the industry campaign programme team. Positive messages about the logistics sector and its career pathways have been spread amongst under-represented groups through the first year of the campaign. It exceeded expectations by achieving over 3.5 million engagements with social media activities and 789,000 visits to its online hub. Since establishing an Ambassadors Network, over 330 logistics professionals are now championing this important sector through engagement opportunities with young people. [1] We consider Generation Logistics to have been successful in its aim of raising awareness of, and positive sentiment towards, the logistics sector. Following the launch of its second year in October, we continue to work closely with The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Logistics UK, and all the campaign sponsors and partners, to ensure this messaging reaches young people in schools and colleges. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the campaign as it progresses through its second year to determine the merits of further funding.[1] Year 1 campaign statistics provided by the programme team’s evaluation piece from The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and Logistics UK.

Bicycles: Sales

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of pedelecs sold in England in the past five years, and what steps they are taking to ensure that users can meet insurance and MOT requirements.

Lord Davies of Gower: The Department has made no such estimate. Pedelecs and other forms of e-cycle which do not comply with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle regulations need to be registered, insured and taxed as a motor vehicle, and the rider will need an appropriate driving licence and will have to wear an approved motorcycle safety helmet. These are matters for the rider, and enforcement of the requirements is a matter for the police.

Electric Vehicles: Bicycles

Baroness Hayman of Ullock: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to start recording official data on e-bike usage as part of the National Travel Survey.

Lord Davies of Gower: The National Travel Survey records data on all personal domestic travel by its respondents by any mode of transport. The figures presented in our statistical publications are kept under constant review, through assessment of the reported prevalence for different modes and journey types.